Kyle Monangai Unlikely to Be Fantasy Relevant in Week 2
Kyle Monangai will look to carve out a role in Week 2 after head coach Ben Johnson voiced confidence in him. Monangai saw minimal involvement in the Week 1 loss to Minnesota, catching one pass for 11 yards while logging just 14% of the snaps. Starting running back D'Andre Swift dominated the backfield with an 81% snap share, and with Roschon Johnson returning from injury this week, Monangai's opportunities could shrink even further. Facing a Detroit Lions defense that allowed the second-fewest rushing yards to running backs in 2024, Monangai remains well off the fantasy radar.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chicago Bears rookie running back Source: Pro Football Reference
D'Andre Swift Touchdown-Dependent Against Lions
D'Andre Swift is looking to bounce back after an inefficient outing to start the season. Swift was the workhorse in Week 1, totaling 20 attempts for 65 yards against the difficult Minnesota Vikings run defense. Head coach Ben Johnson stated, "He needs to call more run plays." The matchup is just as difficult in Week 2, as Swift faces the Lions defense, which allowed the second-fewest rushing yards to running backs in 2024. The Lions' defense was able to contain Packers running back Josh Jacobs, who averaged 3.5 yards per carry in Week 1. Swift struggled against his former team last season, averaging less than three yards per carry in those games. Swift is a mid to low-RB3 this week, with his fantasy production likely depending on whether he scores a touchdown or not.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chicago Bears running back Source: Pro Football Reference
"Dual Threat" Caleb Williams Has Fantasy Appeal Against Lions
Caleb Williams is coming off a strong fantasy performance, completing 21 of 35 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown while adding six carries for 58 yards and another score on the ground. Despite Chicago's tough loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Williams showcased his dual-threat ability and the kind of upside that can make him a valuable fantasy asset. In Week 2, Williams draws the Detroit Lions, a defense he thrived against in 2024, averaging 24 fantasy points across two meetings. With head coach Ben Johnson making his return to Detroit, the atmosphere at Ford Field will be intense, but Williams' rushing floor keeps him in play. Consider him a high-end QB2 this week and a must-start in Superflex formats.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chicago Bears quarterback Source: Pro Football Reference
Drake London Practices in Full, Projects as Low-End WR1 With Upside
Drake London (shoulder) was a full participant at practice on Friday after being limited earlier in the week. The 24-year-old suffered a shoulder sprain in Week 1 but appears to be on track to play in Sunday night's matchup against Minnesota. The former first-round draft pick was heavily involved last week, drawing 15 looks from quarterback Michael Penix Jr., turning it into eight catches for 55 yards. London averaged 13 targets in the three games Penix Jr. started at the end of 2024, so this appears to be a continuation of that. As such, against a Minnesota defense that is much easier to throw on than run on, London should be the team's top target-earner again in Week 2. The fourth-year wideout projects as a low-end WR1 option on Sunday night, but carries some upside against a banged-up Vikings defense.
Source: ESPN
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Source: ESPN
DK Metcalf A Borderline Must-Start Against Former Team
DK Metcalf performed well in his first game in the black and gold and now gets a chance at revenge against the team that traded him earlier this year, the Seattle Seahawks. Metcalf told reporters that Sunday's contest is "just another football game", but the 27-year-old will surely be targeted early and often as the de facto top pass-catcher for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. While he wasn't on the receiving end of any of Rodgers' four touchdown tosses in Week 1, he still paced Pittsburgh in targets and receiving yards while flashing his trademark explosiveness. The Seahawks struggled to contain opposing wideouts in 2024 and just allowed 108 yards to Ricky Pearsall last week, suggesting Metcalf could be in line for another productive showing. He offers plenty of upside as a rock-solid WR2 in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Zay Flowers Looks to Build on Great Opening Performance
Zay Flowers put up the second-highest fantasy points of his career in the Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills. In half-PPR formats, that rates second to only his game against the Denver Broncos in Week 9 last season. Now, he'll try to carry that momentum into the first divisional matchup with the Cleveland Browns, who seem to have a lot of confidence. The speedy wideout didn't score in either of their meetings last season, in part due to getting injured during the Week 18 showdown. In Week 8 last year, Flowers finished as the WR17 against the Browns with seven receptions for 115 yards on 12 targets. He's hovering right around WR2 value again this week, but can always pop off into WR1 territory.
Source: RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Justice Hill Doesn't Carry Much Value in Week 2
Justice Hill received two carries and two targets out of the backfield in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. Combined, he totaled -11 yards despite seeing a 45% snap share next to Derrick Henry. While he likely won't be in the negatives again, the Cleveland Browns defense is a bit tougher, especially given that they allowed just 46 rushing yards and 113 yards through the air to the Cincinnati Bengals. That doesn't leave a lot of breathing room for Hill unless the Ravens are playing from behind and resort to a predominantly passing game script. In average-sized fantasy leagues, Hill is better left on the bench for this matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Source: RotoBaller
Malik Washington Remains the Dolphins' Third Receiver
Malik Washington flashed some intriguing upside throughout training camp and the preseason, but he and the rest of the team's offense stumbled in Indianapolis in Week 1 and will need to rebound in Week 2 against New England. Washington played 58% of the team's offensive snaps, behind only Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. He also had five targets, which was tied with Waddle for second on the team behind only Hill's six. However, Washington only converted two of those targets to catches and finished with 20 receiving yards. His usage is still encouraging enough to like his upside down the road, but his low output is mostly due to the team's inability to sustain drives or challenge the Colts down the field. Waddle (shoulder) dealt with an injury in that game and in practice this week, but he doesn't have an injury designation and should be good to go this week. Waddle's availability will keep Washington's role fairly limited. He's the WR89 in the RotoBaller rankings this week, meaning he's not worth starting and barely worth holding at this point, aside from deep leagues. The second-year receiver's role still has the potential to grow later in the year, but for now, he's not a fantasy option in this struggling offense.
Source: NFL.com
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Source: NFL.com
Tyreek Hill Looks to Get on Track vs. the Patriots in Week 2
Tyreek Hill and the whole team's offense will try to erase an ugly Week 1 defeat in Indianapolis in Week 2 when they host the Patriots. Hill led the team in targets and receiving yards while tying with Jaylen Waddle for the team lead in receptions. He finished with four catches for 40 yards on six targets. The overall performance was a letdown, even though he remains the team's top target. Even with Waddle sidelined for part of the game with a shoulder injury, Hill still couldn't make much impact. Waddle isn't on the injury report and should be good to go against the Patriots, and Hill will look to bounce back against a team he totaled 11 catches for 117 yards in two games against last season. Tua Tagovailoa didn't take many deep shots to Hill or anyone else in Week 1, and the Dolphins need to get things turned around in a hurry after their lackluster Week 1. Hill's name has also been popular in trade rumors this week, so plenty of drama still surrounds the 31-year-old receiver. His fantasy managers will hope he turns all the drama into fuel for a big game against the Patriots. He's the WR30 in RotoBaller's Week 2 rankings, meaning he's a low-end WR3 or flex play.
Source: NFL.com
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Source: NFL.com
Kaleb Johnson Will Hope For More Opportunities Against Seattle
Kaleb Johnson was hardly involved in his regular-season debut and will likely operate as the team's RB3 again this week against the Seattle Seahawks. Fantasy managers who drafted Johnson with high expectations must exercise patience with the rookie if they plan to keep him rostered. Johnson played just two offensive snaps last week and primarily operated as a kick returner. However, his utilization could see an uptick soon if Kenneth Gainwell continues to struggle with inefficiency as he did in Week 1. For the time being, Johnson is a bench stash with the potential to serve as a complement to Jaylen Warren later in the season. He should not be considered in fantasy lineups on Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Warren Has RB2 Upside In Week 2
Jaylen Warren found the end zone in the season opener and will look to build on that success in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle's run defense was middle-of-the-pack in 2024 and surrendered a big fantasy performance to Christian McCaffrey in Week 1. Warren may not be the offensive threat that McCaffrey is, but he has proven to be effective both on the ground and through the air as the clear leader of the Steelers' backfield. Rookie Kaleb Johnson has seemingly yet to carve out a role in OC Arthur Smith's system, and while Kenneth Gainwell handled 10 touches last week, he was largely inefficient with them. Though this matchup isn't expected to be high-scoring, Pittsburgh is coming off an impressive 34-point showing led by a motivated Aaron Rodgers and will look to stay hot in its home opener. Warren projects as a low-end RB2 or strong flex option for Sunday's contest.
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Source: RotoBaller
Derrick Henry has Plenty of Bulletin-Board Material vs. Browns
Derrick Henry doesn't have anything to prove when it comes to his overall career. After last week, however, he'll look to bounce back after fumbling during a key moment in the fourth quarter, which eventually led to a loss. Then, while talking to the media, Grant Delpit from the Browns responded to a question about how hard it was to tackle Henry with "not hard." As if the 10-year vet already didn't run with a purpose. Last season, he collected 211 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries combined between the two games against the Browns. They saw his third-highest yards per carry mark (6.81) out of all of the teams he played that year. RotoBaller currently has him ranked the RB1 in half-PPR leagues, so make sure he isn't on the bench.
Source: RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Source: RotoBaller
Riley Patterson Likely to be Elevated Again in Week 2
Riley Patterson reverted to the practice squad after his Week 1 promotion, but he's expected to kick for the team again in Week 2 since Jason Sanders (hip) is still sidelined and on IR. Patterson was signed to the practice squad and promoted in Week 1, but the offense struggled badly in a loss to the Colts and never called on him to even attempt a field goal or extra point. When they finally did find the end zone, they went for a two-point conversion. This week, the Dolphins will try to get their offense on track at home against the Patriots. If they do, Patterson could get some work, but the struggles of the offense have Patterson ranked as the No. 28 kicker for Week 2 in the RotoBaller rankings.
Source: NFL.com
Miami Dolphins kicker Source: NFL.com
Dolphins D/ST a Tough Play vs. the Patriots
Daniel Jones in Week 1, allowing 33 points to the Colts on the road. They'll come home in Week 2 to take on the Patriots and Drake Maye in a divisional matchup. In Week 1, the Patriots only managed 13 points against the Raiders, but Maye did throw for 287 passing yards, along with an interception. The Patriots gave up four sacks in Week 1, while the Dolphins had just one sack and no takeaways in their disappointing showing in Indianapolis. The Dolphins do have some playmakers on defense, but they'll be without Storm Duck (ankle), who is a key cornerback in their defensive backfield. The Dolphins have potential but are a very difficult option to play with any confidence in Week 2, so they're only the DST No. 30 in the RotoBaller rankings for this week.
Source: NFL.com
The Miami Dolphins defense was torn up by quarterback Source: NFL.com
Jonnu Smith Leads NFL in Designed Targets in Week 1
Jonnu Smith led the team in designed targets in Week 1, per Fantasy Points Data. Despite an inefficient outing, he salvaged his day by scoring on an end-around from inside the five-yard line. Smith drew four designed looks, ranking ahead of notable receivers such as Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Zay Flowers, and Travis Hunter. The Steelers acquired Smith this offseason, reuniting him with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who helped rejuvenate his career during their time together in Atlanta. In Week 2, Smith draws a matchup with Seattle -- a defense that finished middle of the pack against tight ends in 2024. With Pat Freiermuth still in the mix, Smith's role remains capped, making him difficult to trust outside of deeper leagues. He's more of a touchdown-dependent flier than a reliable fantasy starter heading into Pittsburgh's home opener.
Source: Fantasy Pts Data
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Source: Fantasy Pts Data